Two New Jersey men have been arrested and charged after allegedly making violent threats against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
Emilio Roman-Flores and his twin brother, Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores, from Abescon, are accused of threatening to shoot ICE officers “on sight” and threatening to hang McLaughlin, according to a press release DHS emailed to Newsweek on Tuesday.
Both men are American citizens, the release noted.
In response to a request for comment, DHS provided a press release that included a statement from Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, who said the arrests should serve as a warning to anyone who “dares to threaten or attack” law enforcement officers.
Why It Matters
Under President Donald Trump, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin has become one of the department’s most visible figures, alongside Secretary Kristi Noem. As a chief public voice for DHS, she has repeatedly highlighted what she describes as a rise in threats and attacks against federal agents.
McLaughlin has also been closely associated with tough language on immigration enforcement, including criticism of policies from the previous administration and Democratic leaders in sanctuary cities and states.
What To Know
Emilio Roman-Flores is charged with unlawful possession of an assault weapon, possession of prohibited weapons, conspiracy, terroristic threats, criminal coercion, threats, and cyber harassment, according to the DHS release. His twin brother, Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores, is charged with conspiracy and terroristic threats.
Both are being held in a New Jersey jail and also face federal charges, the release said.
Authorities say the brothers used social media to post threats describing how they wanted to torture and kill McLaughlin “in a medieval fashion.” One of the brothers allegedly wrote on X that the Second Amendment existed for such a moment. They also allegedly urged that ICE officers be shot on sight.
“We Americans should find you, tar you, feather you, and hang you as we did to anyone serving tyrants before the Revolutionary War,” one post allegedly stated, according to Fox News.
DHS has said federal agents have experienced an uptick in attacks in recent months as immigration enforcement has intensified nationwide under Trump’s direction. Protests have erupted in several communities, where confrontations between residents and agents have been frequently documented.
At the same time, ICE agents have faced accusations of using aggressive tactics against citizens and alleged illegal immigrants, with some incidents reportedly resulting in serious injuries.
What People Are Saying
In the press release, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons issued a stark message to anyone considering similar threats.
“Let this be a warning to anyone who dares threaten or attack our brave law enforcement officers,” he said. “We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. We are NOT afraid of you.
“The extreme rhetoric of the news media, sanctuary politicians, and activists is leading directly to our law enforcement officers facing an 8,000% increase in death threats against them. If you threaten our law enforcement or DHS officials, we will hunt you down and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
What Happens Next
Further details on the case have not yet been released. DHS has emphasized that it intends to pursue prosecution against anyone who threatens its agents or officials, underscoring a zero-tolerance stance toward violent rhetoric and intimidation.
